Catheter for bronchospirometry



Oct. 10, 1939. P. w. GEBAUER 2,175,726

CATHETER FOR BRONCHOSPIROMETRY Filed Nov. 26, 1938 IIIIIIl/IIIIIIIIIIIII) e 10, m9 I 2,175,726

UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs CATHETER FOR BRONCHOSPIROMZETRY Paul W. Gebaucr, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to American Anode Inc., Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware 7 Application November 26, 19:8, Serial No. 242,490 '1 Claims. (01. 128-349) This invention relates to surgical accessories vided in the wall of the tubular structure III at and particularly to a special catheter for use in a point adjacent the distal end which will be broncho-spirometry and for other purposes. positioned within the bronchus of one lung, as by The invention aims to provide a compact leaving the entire end of the catheter open as multi-tubed structure adapted to be readily inillustrated. A second opening i2 is provided in 5 serted in the respiratory passages of a patient, the wall of the tubular structure III at a point with minimum difliculty and discomfort, for conproximal to the first opening and in a position ducting gaseous materials between each of the adapted to communicate with the other lung. lungs, individually, and respective, separate The lumen of the tubular portion In is divided spirometers, and further aims to provide simple into two separate fluid conduits l3 and H by but assuredly effective means for occluding the means of a septum l5 extending from the proxrespiratory passages at appropriate points for imal end of the tubular portion ID to a point l6 sealing the lungs from each other and from the between the two openings H and 12 at which outside atmosphere, whereby the functional capoint the septum l5 curves toward and is at- 15 pacity of each lung may be determined sepatached to the wall 01' the tube to form a closed 15 rately and simultaneously. end for one of the conduits IS. The two fluid The invention may be readily understood by conduits l3 and I4 diverge at the proximal and referring to the accompanying drawing, of of the tubular portion and terminate in separate which-- tubular extensions I1 and 18, respectively,

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing a catheter emadapted to be connected to any appropriate fluid 2o bodying the principles of the present inventions conductors such as conductors leading to sepain a preferred form; rate spirometers.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 For sealing the respiratory passages about the of Fig. 1; inserted catheter, two inflatablecollars I9 and Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 20, are provided encircling the tubular structure 5 of Fig. 1; In at longitudinally spaced-apart positions, one Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 collar l9 being located adjacent the distal end of Fig. 1; of the catheter between the two openings H and Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5-5 12, and the second inflatable collar 20 bein of Fig, 1; cated proximal to the opening I2 so that the 30 Fig. 6 is a horizontal section-taken on line 6-6 opening I2 is located between the two inflatable of Fig. 5; collars while the opening I! is distal to both Fig. '7 is a fragmentary elevation of a catheter collars.

generally similar to the catheter of Figs. 1-6, For inflating the collars I! and 20, a relatively but embody a curved distal end; and small inflating duct 2| is provided extending 5 Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the longitudinally through the walls of the tubular manner in which the prwent catheter is emstructure Hi from a point adjacent the proximal ployed in carrying out diflerential bronchoend to both inflatable collars Iland 20, comspirometry upon a patien municating openings 22, 23 being provided 40 The invention contemplates a catheter adapted through the walls of the tubular structure Ill 40 to be inserted in the respiratory passages of a underneath the inflatable collars i9, 2!], respecpatient and having two longitudinal passagetively, for conducting inflating fluid thereto. ways or conduits with separate openings adapted At the proximal end of the catheter, the inflating to communicate respectively with the two lungs, duct 2| diverges from the tubular structure and and also includes two separate sealing means so terminates in a tubular extension 24 adapted to 45 positioned on the catheter as to seal the lungs be connected to any suitable apparatus for infrom each other and from the outside atmosjecting fluid under pressure. phere and force breathing through the respec- For facilitating entrance of the catheter into tive conduits of the catheter. the main bronchus of alung, the distal end of Such a catheter as illustrated in the drawing the tubular structure l0 desirably is preformed 59 comprises a relat'vely long tubular structure 10 with a permanently-set arcuate configuration as adapted to extend from a point outside the indicated at 25 in the modified form of the mouth of a patient, through the mouth and catheter illustrated in Fig. '7, the catheter being trachea, to a point at least within the main otherwise similar in construction to the catheter bronchus Of one lung- One Opening H is proillustrated in Figs. 1-6. The most satisfactory 55 arcuate conflguration appears to be obtained by gently curving the distal end of the catheter from a point distal to the opening H so that the distal tip of the catheter is directed at an angle of approximately 60 to the axis of the rest 01' the tubular portion I0, although no particular curvature is essential.

In order to facilitate ready passage of the catheter through the tortuous channels of the mouth, trachea and bronchus with minimum diiflculty and discomfort, the entire catheter preferably is made essentially of a flexible soft rubber or analogous composition, although it is to be understood that other materials, such as conventional fabric, metal or wire reenforcemerits, may be associated with the essentially rubber structure so long as the essential flexibility of the rubber is not destroyed. The catheter desirably has a one-piece, unitary structure to avoid all possibility of parts becoming disconnected or separated while in use, although satisfactory catheters obviously may be fabricated by assembling separate pre-i'ormed parts of rubber or other flexible material and cementing or otherwise mounting the parts in proper relation. Procedures for manufacturing such structures are well known in the rubber industry and form no part of the present invention.

To use the present catheter for carrying out differential broncho-spirometry, the catheter is passed through the respiratory passages of a patient, as indicated in Fig. 8, until the distal end of the catheter including the inflatable collar I9 is positioned with the main bronchus 3! of one lung, usually the left lung. The second inflatable collar 20 will then be positioned within the trachea 32. Using any suitable device, air or other inflating fluid is injected through the tube 24 and duct 2| until the collars l9 and 20 have been inflated sufliciently to seal the bronchus and trachea, respectively, about the catheter, the inflated collars conforming readily to irregularities in the passageway walls to effect an assuredly effective seal which is maintained as by clamping the tube 21. When the collars have been inflated, the patient, of course, breathes through the catheter, the left lung receiving and discharging gases through the opening II and the communicating tubes l4 and I8, while the ri ht lung receives and discharges gases through the opening i2 and the communicating tubes I3 and IT. The tubular extensions I '1 and iii are connected to separate spirometers which measure characteristic factors concerning the intake and discharge gases and afford a basis for calculating the functional capacity or eiflciency of each lung separately and simultaneously. The spirometer itself of course is a known apparatus.

The present invention is especially useful in examinations conducted as a preliminary to treating a patient suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis when it is vitally important to know accurately the relative functional efficiencies of the two lungs in order that the character and extent of treatment which may safely be undertaken on either lung can be reliably judged. The catheter obviously is capable of other uses however.

Numerous modifications and variations in details of structure and materials embodied in the catheter for broncho spirometry as hereinabove described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A surgical accessory comprising a tubular structure of elongated configuration having at least three longitudinal conduits each separate from the others, a plurality of inflatable collars encircling the tubular structure at longitudinally spaced-apart positions, each of said inflatable collars communicating with at least one of said conduits for receiving inflating fluid therefrom, the walls of said tubular structure having a plurality of openings therein at positions removed from the positions of the inflatable collars, each of said openings communicating with one of said conduits and at least two of said conduits communicating with different openings, the proximal ends of said conduits being adapted to be connected with appropriate fluid conductors, said surgical accessory being flexible and comprising a rubbery composition as its principal constituent.

2. A surgical accessory comprising a tubular structure adapted to be inserted in a body passage, an inflatable collar encircling the tubular structure at a position adjacent the distal end thereof, a second inflatable collar encircling the tubular structure at a position proximal to the first collar, means for inflating the collars including an inflating duct extending longitudinally through the said structure and communicating with at least one of the inflatable collars for conproximal end of the tubular structure and terminating in separate tubular extensions adapted to be connected to appropriate fluid conduits, said accessory having an essentially unitary structure embodying rubber as the principal ingredient and being flexible throughout.

3. A catheter for differential broncho-spirometry adapted to be inserted in the respiratory passages of a patient for conducting gaseous materials to and from the lungs separately and simultaneously, said catheter comprising a tubular structure adapted to extend through the trachea to a point within the bronchus of a lung, means for sealing the said bronchus about the tubular structure, separate means for sealing the trachea about the tubular structure, the walls of said tubular structure having one opening distal to both sealing means and a second opening between the two sealing means, said tubular structure having two separate longitudinal conduits communicating respectively with the aforesaid two openings, said catheter having a unitary structure and being flexible throughout.

4. A catheter for differential broncho-spirometry adapted to be inserted in the respiratory passages of a patient for conducting gaseous materials to and from the lungs separately and simultaneously, said catheter comprising a tubular structure adapted to extend through the trachea to a point within the bronchus of one lung, an inflatable portion adapted to seal the said bronchus, a second inflatable portion adapted to seal the trachea, means for inflating the two inflatable portions, the walls of said tubular structure having one opening distal to both inflatable portions and a second opening between the two inflatable portions, said tubular structure having ing respectively the proximal ends of said conduits and of said the distal end tioned within the said bronchus, a second inflatposition proximal to will be positioned within the trachea when the two separate longitudinal conduits communicating respectively withthe aforesaid two openings, the proximal ends of said conduits being adapted to be connected with appropriate fluid conductors, said catheter being flexible throughout.

5. A catheter for differential broncho-spiromev try adapted to be inserted in the respiratory passages of a patient for conducting gaseous materials to and from the lungs separately and simultaneously, said catheter comprising a tubular structure adapted to extend at least from the mouth of a patient to a point within the main bronchus of one lung, cling the tubular structure at a position adjacent the distal end thereof and adapted to be positioned within the said bronchus, a second inflatable collar encircling the tubular structure at a position proximal to the first collar and which will be positioned within the trachea when the first collar is positioned within the bronchus of one lung, said collars being adapted to seal the respective respiratory passages when inflated, inflating duct means for conducting inflating fluid to said collars, the walls of said tubular structure having one opening distal to both collars and a second opening between the two collars, a septum dividing the lumen of said tubular structure into two separate longitudinal conduits communicatwith the aforesaid two openings,

inflating duct means being adapted to be connected to appropriate fluid conductors, said catheter embodying rubber as the principal constituentand being flexible throughout. 6. A catheter for differential broncho-spirometry adapted to be inserted in the respir D sages of a patient for conducting gaseous materials to and from the lungs separately and simultaneously, said catheter comprising a tubular structure adapted to extend at least from'the mouth of a patient to a point within the main bronchus of one lung, an cling the tubular structure at a position adjacent thereof and adapted to be posiable-collar encircling the tubular structure at a the first collar and which first collar is positioned within the bronchus of one lung, said collars being adapted when in flated to seal the respestive respiratory passages, a single ,inflating duct extending longitudinally through a wall of said structure and communicatan'inflatable collar encirinflatable collar encirflexible throughout.

of said collars for conducting in-v flating fluid to the collars, the walls of said tubular structure having one opening distal to both collars and a second opening between the two coling with both lars, a septum dividing the lumen of said tubular structure into two separate longitudinal conduits communicating respectively with the aforesaid openings, said conduits and said inflating duct diverging at the proximal end of the catheter and terminating in three separate tubular extensions adapted to be connected with appropriate fluid conductors, said catheter having an essentially integral unitary structure embodying rubher as the principal constituent and being flexible throughout.

7. A catheter for differential broncho-spirometry adapted to be inserted in the respiraitory passages of a patient for conducting gaseous materials to and from the lungs separately and simultaneously, said catheter comprising a tubular structure adapted to extend at least from the mouth of a patient to a point within the main bronchus of one lung, the distal end of said structure having a pre-formed and permanently-set arcuate configuration for facilitating entrance into the said bronchus, an inflatable collar encircling the tubular structure at a position adjacent the distal end thereof and adapted to be positioned within the said bronchus, a second inflatable collar encircling the tubular structure at a position proximal to the first collar and which will be positioned within the trachea when the first collar is positioned within the bronchus of one lung, said collars being adapted when inflated to seal the respective respiratory passages, a single inflating duct extending longitudinally through a wall of said structure and communicat collars, a septum dividing the lumen of said tubular structure into two separate longitudinal con- ,duits communicating respectively with the aforesaid two openings, said conduits and said inflating duct diverging at the proximal end of the catheter and terminating in three separate tubular extensions adapted to be connected with appropriate fluid conductors, said catheter having an es-- sentially integral unitary structure embodying rubber as the principal constituent and being Pm. w. among;- 

